Three way showdown - Android vs Windows vs Symbian

They're the big three operating systems in the world of smartphones, but which is best? To find out, let's check out the three most exciting smartphones of 2009.

HTC Magic - Google Android

The HTC Magic is comparable to the iPhone, sharing a similar keyboard-less design. Again, it's with the software that the HTC Magic shines, with Android living up to the title some have given it, that of 'game changer'. Its completely open source nature makes adapting the OS very easy, and the interface itself is once again a finger-friendly, sleek, and polished affair, with gesture controls the order of the day. The tight integration of the full Google suite (including Apps and Gmail), makes it a real force to be reckoned with, and it has to be said that the HTC Magic is a truly stunning phone.

Toshiba TG01 - Windows Mobile

While Google Android is bringing open source touch-based power to the party, rivals Windows Mobile haven't been resting on their laurels, and the new fruit of their labours is the ultra-powerful Toshiba TG01. Not only does it have the biggest screen ever seen on a mobile phone, measuring in at 4.1 inches, but the Toshiba TG01 also has the most powerful processor put into a mobile phone.

Called Snapdragon, the 1GHz, dual-core processor gives the Toshiba TG01 sheer grunt, which is what it needs to let Windows Mobile live up to its full potential, the Toshiba TG01 is arguably the best WinMo phone that's ever been announced.

Sony Ericsson Idou - Symbian

However, the Toshiba TG01 may not be the overall phone of the year, because the Sony Ericsson Idou is out to steal its crown. This features Symbian S60 Touch, and the design is more reminiscent of the HTC Magic, as it lacks a keyboard. That's not going to be an issue, though, because the interface on the Sony Ericsson Idou, a custom design by Sony Ericsson, is one of the nicest, most finger-friendly UIs in a long time. Oh, and of course, there's one hardware feature that the Sony Ericsson Idou outdoes both mobile phones on. It's the first phone announced for the UK to come with an immense twelve megapixel camera, and as such, it may well be, not just the camera phone of the year, but the best camera phone in the history of mobile phones.